 | |
| Category | Single seaters |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Inaugural season | 2010 |
| Folded | 2018 |
| Drivers | 28 |
| Teams | 7 |
| Chassis suppliers | Dallara |
| Engine suppliers | Mecachrome[1] |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Last Drivers' champion |  Anthoine Hubert |
| Last Teams' champion | ART Grand Prix |
| Official website | gp3series.com |
The GP3 Series, or GP3 for short, was a single-seater motor racing series launched in 2010 as a feeder series for the GP2 Series, introduced by GP2 organiser Bruno Michel.[2] GP3 followed the entire European leg of the Formula One series and the GP2 (now Formula 2) series as a support race for the two. Like the GP2 series, GP3 gave drivers the experience of the Grand Prix environment, and took advantage of the infrastructure, such as marshals and medical facilities, in place for the Formula One events. GP3 Series mainly raced on European circuits, but had appearances on other international race tracks, with rounds in the 2015 season at the Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain and the Yas Marina Circuit in United Arab Emirates.
Many drivers had since stepped up to GP2 since the series began, with the 2010 champion Esteban Gutiérrez, Pål Varhaug and ninth-place finisher Stefano Coletti being the first to do so for the 2011 season. 2011 champion Valtteri Bottas did not follow suit, however, and instead joined Williams as a reserve driver. Meanwhile, James Calado, Rio Haryanto, Simon Trummer, Tom Dillmann and Nigel Melker all joined GP2 for the 2012 season. Other drivers who have graduated to other series are James Jakes who moved to the IndyCar Series for 2011, Josef Newgarden to the Indy Lights series in 2011 and Alexander Rossi and Robert Wickens who moved to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2011 and Lewis Williamson in 2012.
In the series' short history, thirteen drivers have gone on to compete in Formula One. These include former champions Gutiérrez, Daniil Kvyat, Bottas, Esteban Ocon, Jean-Éric Vergne, Carlos Sainz Jr., and Charles Leclerc.
In 2019 the series merged with the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and became the FIA Formula 3 Championship.[3]
- ^ "GP3 unveils new car and engine package for 2016 at Monza". 3 September 2015.
- ^ Elizalde, Pablo (3 October 2008). "GP2 organisers announce GP3 series". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
- ^ Simmons, Marcus (22 September 2017). "FIA confirms new single-make Formula 3 category for 2019". autosport.com. Autosport. Retrieved 22 September 2017.